Gosuncn RichLink: New Encrypted Tracking Devices on GPS-Trace

We continue to expand the list of supported equipment on GPS-Trace.

Now devices from Gosuncn RichLink — a telematics solution manufacturer from the Gosuncn Group ecosystem — have appeared on the platform. Let us tell you about this brand and how to connect the trackers to GPS-Trace.

Gosuncn RichLink Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter Gosuncn RichLink) is a company operating in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, owned by Gosuncn Group. The company specializes in multidimensional IoT communication technologies and focuses on after-sales service for telematics and mobile communication solutions.

Supported Gosuncn RichLink devices

Several Gosuncn RichLink models have been integrated into GPS-Trace, covering the main GPS monitoring scenarios. They can be conditionally divided into three groups:

• Advanced Trackers (GT115 / GT117)
  Suitable for commercial transport and advanced telematics, where it's important to work with CAN bus and external sensors. They can be used in fleet management projects, cold chain monitoring, driving style control and detection of abnormal situations (for example, towing).
• OBDII plug-and-play devices (GD302 / GD506 / GD201E / GD303)
  Installed in the OBD port without interfering with the wiring, so they are well suited for quick pilots and projects where easy installation is important: car sharing, UBI, small and medium fleets, remote car service and diagnostics.
• Standalone battery-powered tracker (GL103)
  Designed for long-term battery operation and used to protect and monitor assets and cargo, including in places where there is no power source (containers, trailers, equipment).

Detailed technical specifications and a complete list of models are available in the manufacturer's documentation. The description is also available in the Devices section on the GPS-Trace website.

Devices on the GPS-Trace

Data Encryption

Gosuncn RichLink trackers have a distinctive feature that sets them apart from many other devices on the platform: they transmit data to the server in encrypted form.

Gosuncn RichLink devices use AES-256 encryption in ECB mode. This means that coordinates, parameters, events, and other telemetry are not sent "as is," but in the form of encrypted packets. This provides a basic level of protection against data interception.

The GPS-Trace platform and Forguard application support this format of data exchange with Gosuncn RichLink devices, so the tracker and server "understand" each other, and the user sees familiar tracks and messages on the map — but with an additional level of protection.

AES-256 is a widely recognized encryption standard. ECB mode is chosen for telematics devices because of its simplicity of implementation and low computational resource requirements, which is especially important for autonomous devices with limited power consumption. Although from the perspective of modern cryptography there are more secure AES operating modes (such as CBC or GCM), even basic ECB encryption significantly increases security compared to transmitting data in clear text.

Meanwhile, many GPS trackers on the market still transmit data without any encryption at all, so having even basic AES protection is already an advantage and increases the confidentiality of the transmitted information.

Connecting the tracker to the GPS-Trace platform

1. Creating a unit

After creating an account for your Forguard client/user, the dealer creates an unit using the Gosuncn RichLink tracker. You can create an unit directly in the Partner Panel or by accessing the Forguard account as an Admin.

To create an unit, do the following:

• click + in the units section in the Partner Panel or in the Forguard account
• select the device type - your tracker model
• enter the device data:
  - IMEI/ID of the tracker
  - Encryption key - unique for each device
• Click Save

2. Setting up the tracker

Gosuncn RichLink trackers can be configured in 2 ways:

1. Via SMS commands
2. Using a special program - configurator.

Setting up the device via SMS

General SMS format: !SMS,Auth Code,ConfigName,content
where:

• !SMS – a fixed string by which the device distinguishes a configuration SMS from a regular one;
• Auth Code – a unique code associated with a specific device (like the IMEI). The manufacturer provides a tool for calculating the Auth Code (for example, in the branded configurator).
• ConfigName – the name of the configuration parameter (in lowercase);
• content – the parameter values, without spaces.

2.1. Setting up APN

General command format:

• with username and password:
  !SMS,Auth Code,apn,<apn>,<user>,<pass>
  
• without username and password:
  !SMS,Auth Code,apn,<apn>
  

Example: !SMS,Auth Code,apn,internet,internet,internet

2.2. Setting up server and port

General command format: !SMS,Auth Code,server,<server_address>,<port>

Example: !SMS,Auth Code,server,185.213.2.30,38603

📌The server and port to which the tracker is directed are specified in the unit settings - Hardware.

After setting up the tracker, make sure that data has started to flow to the platform. This can be done in several ways:

1. Activity on the map. If the tracker is connected and sending data, you will see its current location and movement on the map.

2. Color status on the unit card.

Statuses mean the following:

• No information - the device has never connected to the platform
• Green status — the device is connected
• Yellow status — the device was connected in the last 5 minutes
• Grey status — no connection for more than 5 minutes

3. ToolBox - for detailed viewing of messages from the device:

• All messages from the tracker in real time
• Time of receipt of each message — this will show when the tracker last sent data
• Parameters transmitted by the device (coordinates, speed, engine status, etc.)
• Messages from the "black box" (displayed in gray) — data that the tracker accumulated in memory and sent after restoring connection

If new messages are coming into the Toolbox, it means the tracker is actively connected to the platform. The absence of new messages indicates connection problems.

4. History — for checking movement tracks

Troubleshooting GPS tracker issues

If the tracker doesn't appear on the map or works "strangely," you can go through a simple checklist.

1. GPS needs a "view of the sky," otherwise it poorly catches satellites.
Make sure that:

• during the initial setup, the tracker is taken outdoors, not sitting indoors or in a car in a garage;
• there is no metal, concrete, covered parking, tunnel, etc. above it;
• when installed in a vehicle, the tracker is in a place where it is least obstructed (not deep under panels, not in a "metal box").
  

2. Make sure there is power

• check if the battery is charged or if the power is properly connected;
• if the device is inserted into an OBD port, make sure it is firmly inserted and not loose;
• if there are indicator lights on the tracker, check if they are illuminated as usual.
  

3. Restart the tracker

• disconnect the power and turn it back on;
• wait 1-2 minutes for the tracker to fully restart.
  

4. Check the settings

• send a test SMS command and see if the tracker responds;
• check if the server, port, and operator's APN are correctly specified;
• if in doubt, reconfigure the device according to the instructions again.
  

5. Check the SIM card and connection

• check if there is money on the SIM card and if the internet package is active;
• make sure the SIM is compatible with this tracker (in terms of network type and format);
• if possible, insert the SIM into another phone/device and check if mobile internet works there.
  

For GPS-Trace, this is another story about how different devices, protocols, and approaches to data transmission coexist on one platform. Today it's Gosuncn RichLink with AES encryption, tomorrow — new manufacturers and scenarios.

If you are already working with this equipment or just planning to, this integration is a ready entry point to the GPS-Trace platform.